Coe, the chairman of London 2012, famously delivered the Olympics and Paralympics to the English capital in 2005 when he made an emotive speech about Britain delivering a lasting legacy of inspiration to children around the world that helped to persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award the Games to London. 

As a result of the Games coming to the city, International Inspiration was launched to deliver on Coe’s words and as part of the programme, young leaders from around the world are congregating in the North East of England to coincide with the Sainsbury's UK School Games which are currently taking place there.

The 20 young leaders, aged between 14 and 18, reside in 10 different countries but have never travelled abroad before until now.

They have been developing their leadership skills through sport thanks to the programme and will learn officiating skills for selected sports by working with volunteers at the UK School Games.

Campbell, who is also the chair of UK Sport, admitted she was immensely proud to see the youngsters on the programme come to the North East of England and be part of the UK School Games and claimed that the presence of the young leaders at the event is a clear illustration of Britain delivering on the promises made by Coe in 2005.



Speaking at the UK School Games, Campbell told insidethegames: "I don’t think any of us will ever forget Seb’s speech in Singapore in 2005 when he said, ‘Give London the Games and we will bring sport to life around the world for young people.’

"I just think to actually see it now happening, thanks to an awful lot of people from UNICEF, the British Council, UK Sport and Youth Sport Trust, is fantastic.

"Seb is obviously really excited about it too and a tremendous supporter of it.

"He also goes out to a number of the countries personally to support it which is an amazing commitment on his part.

"When International Inspiration started, we had huge ambitions for it but we didn’t have a lot of resource for it and we didn’t know where it would go.

"But because of the support of the organisations I have mentioned, it has been a magnificent success and it’s great to have the young people from the countries we are working in actually here doing Governing Body Awards, getting involved an volunteering."

Jairan, an 18 year-old young leader from Brazil, added: "The programme has very much influenced my life.

"I have learnt that small actions can generate large changes in society.

"Besides that, International Inspiration has made me develop as a person and improved my communication, leadership, team working and interpersonal skills.

"I am now more responsible for my school work, so my performance has improved.

"I hope to share the experience and training I have gained with school members and the community and I am hopeful that this will impact positively on their lives, broaden their world view and improve their motivation for the practice of sports and volunteering."

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